The people of Pakistan and India have always wished for the two neighbours to be at peace with each other. A substantial number of families in both the countries have their relatives living across the border. It was the first time after almost 35 years that the Commerce Minister of Pakistan visited India on an invitation of his Indian Counterpart. Makhdoom Amin Fahim recently led a high profile delegation, which included Mr. Zafar Mehmood (Secretary Commerce), Mr. Tariq Puri (CEO TDAP), Mr. Anjum Bashir (Chairman TCP), Senator Ghulam Nabi (President FPCCI), Mr. Tariq Shafi (Vice-President FPCCI), Mr. Akhtar Nazir Khan (Chairman WHCO), Mr. Iftikhar Malik (Vice-President SAARC) and many other prominent businessmen from various sectors. The delegation landed in Mumbai on the 26th September, where it was received by Mr Shahid Malik, the High Commissioner of Pakistan in India. The delegation immediately proceeded to The Taj Hotel, the same place where India has been excusing Pakistan to have carried out terrorist attacks.
The FICI arranged several meetings for the delegation and alot of goodwill talks were held. The Indian dignitaries showed an immense interest towards the development of peaceful gestures between the two countries for mutual interests. Mr. Akhtar Nazir Khan pointed out that Pakistan has always put forward its hand generously for a workable cooperation with the business community of India, while India has not resiprocated the same, giving examples of the import and distribution of Indian Films in Pakistan, as well as the Regional Handmade Carpet Exhibitions held in Pakistan in the past and the popularity that the Pakistani TV channels enjoy in India.
Makhdoom Amin Fahim, along with other officials, called on the Chief Minister of Maharashtera before departing for New Delhi. During this visit they held lucrative and fruitful talks. The Commerce Secretary of Pakistan, Mr Zafar Mehmood, had prior meetings with his counterpart in which many of the questions raised by the delegates were stressed upon. The main points included the betterment of communication, logistics and visa systems between the two countries. The Indian officials responded by assuring positive cooperation. If this promised cooperation between the two countries is not just for the sake of discussion and instead it is materialized then matters would be much more positive and easier for the business community of both the countries.
Mr. Anand Sharma the Indian Commerce Minister, hosted a scrumptious dinner for the Pakistani Delegation in New Delhi which was also attended by Sheila Dikshit the Chief Minister of Delhi. The evening progressed in an informal and casual manner with a Cultural Show as well as a lot of “Sher-o-Shairi”. Assurances were made for a full fledged cooperation and working towards development of peaceful relations between both the countries.
A seperate dinner was hosted by Sheila Dikshit and she was hospitable enough to check up on every guest and especially giving her time to the delegates from Pakistan. The hospitality that the Indians put through to the Pakistanis was surely worth writing back home about. Mr Zafar Mehmood and Mr Tariq Puri, although holding high the dignity of Pakistan, worked very hard towards developing a workable agenda to ease the business activities between the two neighbours. With their efforts we can rest assured that the Commerce Sector of Pakistan is in good hands. Their vision which is duly supported by Makhdoom Amin Fahim for sure is a positive step and it needs to be applauded for further business development and trying to open a gateway to lucrative markets for both the countries; which would surely be of a greater benefit to Pakistan in the future. Mr. Anjum Bashir (Chairman TCP) also held promising meetings with various officials and businessmen.
Makhdoom Amin Fahim further acknowldged the suggestion of traders that Pakistan must grant India the status of Most Favoured Nation (MFN). India assured Pakistan of withdrawing its objections on the European Union trade concessions to Pakistan. They also assured to address the issues regarding non-tariff barriers as well as an agreement was reached to enhance the trade volume to $6 Billion next year from the existing $2.7 Billion. A number of meetings were held regarding the Media and Film exchange and cooperation between the two countries. These included lucrative meetings held between Akhtar Nazir Khan and Times of India as well as Zee Network representatives.
Also to be noted was the presence of Professor Kiran Walia, Minister of Social Welfare, Women & Child Development and Languages who put in immense efforts to suggest plans for the future development of peaceful activities between the two nations. With the delegation back in Pakistan, it is now to be seen whether these high hopes that they have brought back with them will bear fruit or would they remain a mere talk about the hospitality. Now it is to be seen whether these talks result in a resultantly positive approach between the two business communities or whether the files are shut in the cupboard as one of the many others. The ball remains in India’s Court.
